FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEBREVARD COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATIONTuesday, August 9, 2011

JONES RESIGNS AS MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH

Takes over reigns as Tusculum Men's Basketball Head Coach

Brevard, N.C. - Brevard College announced August 9 that Michael Jones has resigned his position as Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball program. Jones has accepted the position of Head Coach at Tusculum College and will be introduced in Greeneville, Tenn. on Wednesday afternoon.

"This was a very difficult decision for me and my family," said Jones. "It is with mixed emotions that I have accepted the head coaching position at Tusculum College. Brevard is has very much become home to me and my family over the past 12 years. I feel honored to have been the only four year head coach at Brevard College. We have been fortunate to enjoy a great deal of success on the basketball floor, while watching 98% of my players graduate."

Jones led Brevard to a historic campaign in 2009-2010, as the Tornados finished the season 21-10, while capturing the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament title and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Jones was named the SAC Coach of the Year as the team set or tied 27 individual and team records.

The Maysville, Ky. native has amassed 214 victories in his 14 years as a collegiate head coach, including 175 in his 12 seasons at Brevard. Jones has led his programs to three national tournaments, including two with the Tornados. Jones has also seen five of his players offered professional basketball contracts, including two in the NBDL.

While at Brevard, Jones’ teams have accounted for 20 wins or more on four occasions. In 2001-02, his squad was ranked as high as No. 12 nationally (NAIA), while posting an impressive 22-11 worksheet. The Tornados captured both the Appalachian Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles that season, led by All-American and AAC Player of the Year David Evans.

But most impressive with his programs is the 98 percent graduation rate during Jones’ tenure.

He has mentored 10 All-Conference performers at Brevard, including this past season with Josh Roper, the 2011 SAC scoring champion. Roper, a 2011 First Team All-SAC selection and 2011 Daktronics All-South Atlantic Region Second Team selection, finished up his senior season at Brevard leading the league with 21.2 points per game and 2.56 steals per contest.

Also among the list of outstanding BC players coached by Jones is the program’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder in All-American Jonathan Whitson (2006-2010). Whitson is Brevard’s career leader in points (2,028), rebounds (942) and blocked shots (122).

"I have so many great friends here in the Brevard community, and am truly thankful to the presidents and athletic directors for which I have been able to serve," said Jones. "I am also very thankful to current AD Juan Mascaro, Debbie Hall, Dr. Teague and Dr. Joyce for the conversations we had and their desire for me to stay. However, this is an opportunity for me and my family that we couldn't pass up. This has been a very difficult decision for the entire Jones family and we will dearly miss our Tornados family."

"We would like to thank Coach Jones for his contributions to Brevard College during his 13 years of service," said BC Interim AD Mascaro. "We want to wish him and his family well in his future endeavors both on and off the court."